In spite of a .79-mill increase in the city property tax rate, Commerce taxpayers still have the lowest total tax rate of any district in Jackson County — just as they have for the past decade or longer.

Pendergrass residents are on the opposite end of the chart. They pay the highest tax rate in Jackson County.

Commerce residents, counting the county maintenance and operations tax, the city tax, city school tax and state tax, pay at a rate of 29.84 mills. That’s up from 29 mills in 2009.

Pendergrass residents pay a total of 35.48 mills, which is actually down slightly from the 2009 tax levy but still a whopping 5.64 mills higher than Commerce residents. On a $100,000 piece of property, Pendergrass residents pay $225.60 more than the owner of a similarly valued property in Commerce.

The residents of the North Jackson Fire District, who pay 31.59 mills, have the second lowest levy in Jackson County, some 1.75 mills more than in Commerce.

A mill is equal to a dollar of taxes for every $1,000 of assessed value or 40 cents for every $1,000 of (supposedly) fair market value as determined by the county tax assessors’ office.

Commerce residents typically pay less in property taxes because profits from the city’s gas and electric utility systems heavily subsidize the cost of government.

Mark, an increase is an increase no matter what you call it. Try telling your boss you don't have enough money to pay your grocery bill, electric bill, gas bill and see what he calls your increase. Just after he stops laughing.

The column was about Commerce having the lowest total tax rate in the area. It was about the cost per week I pay for city services. It was not about utility rates, the cost of groceries or one's ability to afford those costs.

I'm guessing you call the higher cost of groceries a tax increase. Good for you.

I believe the old sayi9ng goes something like this..........
Never argue with a fool. People who are watching can't tell who is who.

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